Umberto I on the ground to increase the number of backup devices "heart"

Rome, October 26 (AdnKronos Health) – The heart is a machine with a tireless engine, but it can happen that in some cases it hangs due to heart failure, which means that the heart can not provide enough oxygen to all tissues. A condition that can cause serious damage to the body if no action is taken. The Policlinico Umberto I of Rome today presented a program to revive the implantation of Vad (ventricular badist devices), devices of type "bridge" that can rescue patients suffering from pain. severe heart failure waiting for a heart transplant.

"According to epidemiological data, 100 of these plants would be needed in Lazio – Francesco Fedele, director of the UOC Cardiovascular Disease Policlinico Umberto I, explains to AdnKronos Salute, while only twenty are implanted today. For this reason, Umberto I is organizing a program to increase the use of CVA, but the Polyclinic does not currently play a leading role in the treatment of these complex patients, who are often diverted to other structures, which is ethically and economically disadvantageous.The collaboration with the Penn University of Philadelphia is precisely in the direction of a synergy of mutual expertise in this field ".

Speakers, international experts and specialists gathered today in the capital for the "Global Management of Advanced Heart Failure" Congress (26-27 October). A comparison on new technologies available to the cardiologist and aimed at deepening the pathophysiology, diagnostic methods and treatment of advanced heart failure (advanced heart failure). "Polyclinic today has all the resources and skills needed to play a role in this new treatment scenario for advanced heart failure – says Vincenzo Panella, Umberto I's Managing Director – However, it takes take into account the national results: that is to say, to ensure a minimum volume of services for each structure, because the relationship between the number of cases and the quality of care is now certain.This is an issue that we will discuss with the region of Lazio to determine the conditions necessary for the polyclinic to become a point of reference for treating advanced heart failure ".

"The epidemic of our time in the field of cardiology is undoubtedly heart failure – says Fedele – A large part of patients with heart failure arrive at an advanced stage of their disease and in these situations, medical treatment Survival is a graft or badistance to the circle with wind aids called VAD.We know that the number of transplants has not increased in recent years due to lack of donors. technology that allows the circle's support systems to become definitive therapies, and not just the "bridge" to transplantation, can be extremely useful.Our project is to allow Umberto I to complete the treatment patients with heart failure, Vad factory care ".

"The heart transplant is a very good surgical activity – explains Pasquale Berloco, director of the UOC General Surgery and Organ Transplantation by Umberto I – but this is not the solution to solve the problems of patients with terminal heart disease.Today, many of these diseases are treated with the help of artificial organs, because unfortunately we can not exceed certain numbers with donations of organs and transplants, while we are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of devices, total or partial, which they can be used permanently or, in some cases, as a gateway for a heart transplant. "

Among the guests present today, the rector of Sapienza University of Rome, Eugenio Gaudio, said: "Today there is a real epidemic of heart failure, a new commitment of 15 million sick people in the world Policlinico Umberto I is engaged in this battle to defeat heart failure.These new devices Vad – concludes the rector – can be an alternative solution to heart transplants and save the lives of patients " .